Week 3 - Circular Systems & Synbio Recycling - Session 1

​Research Highlight!!

​Katie A. Gilmour, Researcher, Northumbria University: Synbio Coatings for Water-Proof Garments

​Waterproof textiles are essential in fashion and performance wear, yet current chemical coatings often rely on environmentally harmful compounds such as fluorocarbons. Katie A. Gilmour explores a synthetic biology approach to this challenge by engineering microbial systems capable of producing bio-based coatings with intrinsic hydrophobic properties. Her work focuses on functionalizing living materials like bacterial cellulose with proteins and polymers that repel water, creating sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to conventional treatments. This research highlights how living systems can be programmed to self-assemble into protective layers, paving the way for garments that combine high functionality with ecological responsibility.

​Entrepeneurship hub!!

​Fabiola Polli, CEO and Founder BioFashionTech, Startup Collective: Closing the Loop with Synthetic Biology in Fashion

​The fashion industry faces a critical challenge: vast amounts of textile waste and reliance on non-renewable, non-biodegradable materials. BioFashionTech tackles this problem by integrating synthetic biology into circular fashion systems. Their work focuses on designing microbial platforms that can both upcycle textile waste and generate new biomaterials ranging from biodegradable fibers to coatings with enhanced performance. By merging biotechnology with fashion design, BioFashionTech demonstrates how living systems can replace linear production models with regenerative ones. Their vision illustrates the potential of synbio to enable a truly circular fashion ecosystem where waste is transformed into resources and garments are designed for both performance and planetary health.